After stumbling through the first broadcast of “Dancing with the Stars,” Kate Gosselin is one nervous mother of eight.

An ABC insider tells Fox411 that the reality TV mom is shaking in her high heels after this week’s first show, in which she gave one of the program’s worst performances.

“Kate is terrified that she’ll be the first person voted off and she is determined not to let that happen,” a network source told Fox411. “She is a lot more focused than she was leading up to the first show. Kate finally realized how hard ‘DWTS’ is going to be for her and she needs [her partner] Toni [Davolini]’s help.”

The source said Gosselin thought she could charm he way through the contest. Not anymore.

“There was a time when she cared more about her nails and tanning and continuing her regular workouts. Now, it’s all about the kids first and dancing second.”

Monday night’s DWTS debut was almost more than Kate could bear, the source said.

“Kate struggled to get through the show. She knew the producers planned for her to go towards the end of the show, but it only served to make her so much more nervous that by the time she was set to dance,” said our insider. “She’s trying to get her mindset prepared for next week. It is harder than she imagined.”

Our insider added that rumors of on-set tensions between Gosselin and the rest of the cast – especially Shannen Doherty – are overblown.

“[Kate]’s not unfriendly. She is quiet and keeps to herself and her small team,” the source explained. “Kate and Shannen have talked and there’s no rift – everyone is friendly and cordial onset. The competitors are trying to remember their routines so there isn’t a lot of time for socializing.”

So how does Gosselin plan to turn her fortunes around on Monday?

“She told [her partner] Toni she will listen to every single thing he says. She wants to stay in the competition.”

And if she can’t improve her performance?

“She will play the mom card,” said our insider. “She hopes that her great support system of moms everywhere will help vote to keep her in.”

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